Such a day will be seen after 15 years. (Photo- PTI)
Kolkata’s historic Eden Garden Stadium is once again going to be filled with the buzz of Test cricket. The first match of the two-match Test series between India and South Africa starting from 14th November will be played here. Test matches are going to return to this ground after almost 6 years. Team India played its last match here in the year 2019, which was the Pink Ball Test. However, the first match of this series against South Africa is going to prove to be an emotional moment for the Indian team.
Such a day will be seen after 15 years
In this match played between India and South Africa, there will be a big missing on the field, and that is Virat Kohli. This will be the first time in 15 years that the Indian team will play a Test without Kohli at Eden Gardens. The last time this happened was in 2011, when Kohli was not a part of the team in the Test played against West Indies. In that match, India had registered a spectacular victory by an innings and 15 runs. After that, India played a total of five Tests at Eden Gardens, in all of which Virat Kohli contributed with his presence with the bat and on the field.
Kohli has played many memorable innings at Eden Gardens, and in his absence the new generation of players will have a huge responsibility. Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, the team will not only be looking for a series win but will also try to carry forward Kohli’s legacy. Let us tell you, Virat Kohli had announced his retirement from Test cricket in May this year. At the same time, Virat played a total of 5 test matches at the Eden Garden Stadium, during which he scored 323 runs at an average of 46.14. Which included 2 centuries. Out of these, he scored one century in the Pink Ball Test.
Team India’s record in Eden Garden
India has so far played 42 test matches at Eden Garden. Out of these, India has won 13 matches and has faced defeat in 9 matches. At the same time, 20 matches have been drawn. On the other hand, India has played a total of 3 test matches against South Africa on this ground. Out of these, 2 matches have been in the name of India and in 1, South Africa has won. A Test match was played between the two teams on this ground for the first time in the year 1996, in which the African team won by 329 runs. After this, the Indian team won the tests played in 2004 and 2010.